In the heart of the Big Apple, the NY Liberty are making waves as they seize a commanding 2-0 lead in the playoff semifinals against the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces, and are on the verge of pushing them out of the playoffs entirely. However, former Aces star and Hall of Famer Candace Parker has a different perspective.

On a recent episode of “Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae“, Parker shared her belief that the Aces have the potential to reverse the series. “If anybody could do it and come back from 0-2, it would be Vegas. You look at the Golden State Warriors’ success and what they did during their run of winning championships. I mean, they had to win Game 6 at Houston and then come back and win at home. So, like, it’s possible, and I think if anybody could do it, it’s them,” she explained.

Parker drew parallels between the Aces and the 2018 Warriors, who came back from a similar deficit against the Houston Rockets to secure a championship. Parker also acknowledged her partiality towards the Aces, reflecting on her own time with the team.

“Going into this year, even though Vegas didn’t look great throughout the season, they kind of turned it around at the end. Obviously, I’m partial because I played for them, but I thought Vegas was going to come in and be able to get one in New York just because of their mindset, their skill set, and their ability to play both sides of the ball. They’ve won before, which I think is another layer of things,” she told Flau’jae Johnson in Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae“. Of course, the 3x WNBA champion has had the ‘Sin City’ franchise as her last one where she won her final ring.

While Candace Parker held out hope for the Aces to reverse the series, she also substantiated her arguments by pointing out that, given the way New York has been playing, one might expect them to lead by a larger margin say 20 points. However, she emphasized that the games have remained close, with the Aces showing resilience by closing gaps and staging comebacks.

The Hall of Famer also praised the Liberty’s standout performances, singling out Breanna Stewart, whom she described as “just ridiculous” for her impressive plays. She also noted Sabrina Ionescu’s impact on the game while also highlighting Leonie Fiebich’s versatility. Certainly, the rookie’s 6’3″ frame allows her to stretch the floor and defend effectively. New York’s ability to switch defensively has disrupted the Aces’ usual rhythm, crediting the Liberty for taking Vegas out of their comfort zone and limiting their preferred plays.

As Candace Parker holds out hope for the Aces, the question remains: Can they rally and execute a comeback?

With Their Backs Against the Wall, Aces Look to Game 3 for a Comeback Against Dominant Liberty

In their last matchup, the Liberty narrowly defeated the Aces 88-84, with Sabrina Ionescu leading the charge with 24 points, matching A’ja Wilson’s contribution for Las Vegas. While the Aces have performed well at home with a 13-7 record, they struggle in tightly contested games, holding a 1-1 record in one-possession matchups. Conversely, the Liberty excel on the road, boasting a 16-4 record and shooting prowess, averaging 10.1 made three-pointers per game at a 34.9% accuracy.

However, New York has no intention of letting go. “Being up 2-0 is great, but we haven’t won anything yet,” acknowledged Ionescu during the post-game press conference after Game 2. With Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu firing on all cylinders, along with Jonquel Jones and Leonie Feibich putting the clamps on the Aces’ offense, the stakes have never been higher. All eyes will be on the court as the Aces aim to channel their championship spirit. A victory in Game 3 could reignite their quest for another title.

Game 3 of the Aces vs. Liberty matchup is set to tip off at 7:00 AM (GMT+5:30) at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV. With the Liberty leading 2-0, the Aces are fighting to keep their dreams of a 3-peat alive in front of their home crowd. Fans will be watching closely to see if Las Vegas can make the adjustments needed to turn the tide against New York’s formidable lineup.